Are Scotland Flattering to Deceive? Or Is This Their Level in the Six Nations?

Scotland Struggles and Their Inability to Close Out Games in the Six Nations

Scotland’s performance in the 2023 Six Nations Championship has raised many questions about the true potential of the team. Their closing match in Paris against defending champions France, which ended in a 35-16 defeat, seemed all too familiar. Scotland showed great promise and competitiveness for long periods, but as has often been the case, they failed to turn their pressure into points. A series of costly mistakes, particularly during the third quarter, ultimately cost them the game and confirmed a fourth-place finish in the tournament.

Scotland’s inability to deliver a complete 80-minute performance has been a recurring theme throughout the Six Nations, and this match was no exception. The question that has been raised time and again is: Are Scotland flattering to deceive? Or is this their true level? Their potential to challenge the elite teams is evident, but the failure to capitalize on crucial moments, combined with issues in depth and consistency, leaves Scotland struggling to break into the upper echelons of northern hemisphere rugby.

A Familiar Scenario: The Unfinished Business of Scotland’s Six Nations Campaign

Scotland entered the Six Nations with hopes of making a statement on the international stage, but their performances have once again exposed their limitations. In the match against France, they were only three points behind at 42 minutes, but by full-time, the deficit had ballooned to 19. While there were moments of brilliance, they simply could not match the intensity and depth of the French squad, particularly after the introduction of fresh, world-class replacements.

Throughout the championship, Scotland showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to convert those into consistent results. Against top teams like France, Ireland, and England, they failed to deliver when the matches were in the balance. This inability to secure wins when they had their chances has led many to question whether Scotland is truly capable of achieving more at the international level or if their mid-table finishes are reflective of their true potential.

The Impact of Key Decisions: Refereeing Controversies and Scotland’s Misfortune

France thrash Scotland to become Six Nations champions

One factor that has been repeatedly highlighted throughout the Six Nations is the impact of refereeing decisions on Scotland’s campaign. In their match against France, Scotland were left frustrated when a headbutt from French hooker Peato Mauvaka on Ben White went unpunished, with only a yellow card being issued while France were 10-0 ahead. Such moments of controversy often feel like additional hurdles for Scotland to overcome in an already challenging competition.

However, despite these controversial decisions, Scotland’s inability to capitalize on key moments remained a more significant issue. Head coach Gregor Townsend was candid when discussing Scotland’s performance, stating that they simply didn’t win when they had the opportunity. “No, if we don’t win when we have a lot of the game, that’s where we are going to finish,” Townsend said. This statement encapsulates the crux of Scotland’s ongoing challenge: they often play well but fail to execute when it matters most.

Lack of Depth: The Key Factor Holding Scotland Back

Six Nations 2025: Are Scotland flattering to deceive? Or is this their level?

One of the key factors that continues to hold Scotland back from competing at the highest level is the lack of depth in their squad. While they have several world-class players in their ranks, the gap in strength between their starting lineup and the bench is a significant disadvantage when competing against the likes of France. As former Scotland forward Johnnie Beattie pointed out, the disparity in player participation numbers between France and Scotland is striking. “Look at our player participation numbers,” Beattie said. “France have hundreds of thousands and we have around 20,000 adults.” This difference in depth is a constant challenge for Scotland when they face the elite teams.

This lack of depth was glaringly evident in the match against France. As the game reached the 46-minute mark, France coach Fabien Galthie made a series of powerful substitutions, bringing on players like Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, and Anthony Jelonch, all of whom contributed to turning the tide in France’s favor. These world-class replacements brought fresh energy, physicality, and quality to the French side, ensuring they could maintain their level of play even when key players were rotated.

In contrast, Scotland’s bench options were more limited, and head coach Townsend had to leave replacement prop Will Hurd on the bench while asking Zander Fagerson to play the full 80 minutes. Many of the Scottish replacements, such as Ewan Ashman and Ewan Johnson, are still developing and struggling to make an impact at the highest level. This lack of depth in key positions is a major factor in Scotland’s inability to match the intensity and physicality of top teams throughout an entire match.

Scotland’s High-Risk Strategy: A Double-Edged Sword

Scotland’s high-risk playing style is both a blessing and a curse. Against France, their game plan was clear: keep the ball alive, take risks, play with pace and width, and get their talented backline involved as much as possible. This approach gave them the best chance to hurt the French defense, and for large portions of the match, they looked dangerous. However, this high-risk strategy is not without its pitfalls. Scotland often finds themselves making mistakes, which are ruthlessly punished by teams like France.

Former Scotland full-back Chris Paterson noted that Scotland played with “fantastic endeavour” and were “quite sharp on the ball,” but ultimately could not break through France’s defense. Despite having moments of brilliance, Scotland’s failure to execute when it mattered led to their downfall. As former prop Peter Wright remarked, “Scotland played the right way, gave ourselves the best opportunity by keeping the ball alive, playing as quick as possible. It wasn’t always accurate, but it’s the right way to go about it.”

This high-risk approach often leads to errors in execution, and against top teams, these mistakes can be costly. While Scotland’s strategy is to play fast and with flair, it doesn’t always result in the consistency required to win Test matches. Scotland has magnificent moments that can take your breath away, but the inability to sustain this level of play over the course of a match has been their downfall.

Are Scotland Capable of More? The Search for Consistency

As Scotland’s Six Nations campaign concluded with a fourth-place finish, the question remains: Are they capable of more? On paper, Scotland has the talent to challenge the best teams in the world, but inconsistency continues to hold them back. Their performances against Italy and Wales were convincing, but they failed to translate this form against the top sides in the competition. When the pressure is on, Scotland has often faltered, unable to close out games against the likes of Ireland, England, and France.

Scotland’s inconsistency is a result of several factors, including a lack of depth, tactical issues, and an inability to convert pressure into points. As Wright summed up, “Ultimately, France are a better side. There are world-class players all over the pitch, they can bring real quality off the bench and that just adds to the tempo and physicality.” This statement reflects the gap between Scotland and the northern hemisphere’s elite teams, and it’s clear that for Scotland to break through, they must develop more depth and consistency in their game.

The Road Ahead for Scotland

Looking ahead, Scotland will need to address their lack of depth and tactical execution if they are to challenge the best teams in the world consistently. While they are undoubtedly a talented side, the lack of strength in key positions remains a hindrance to their ambitions. Scotland must continue to develop their players, improve their squad depth, and work on executing their high-risk game plan more effectively if they are to improve in future competitions.

Scotland’s journey towards becoming a true force in international rugby will require continued growth, both in terms of player development and tactical refinement. They have the potential to compete with the best, but they must find a way to deliver more consistent performances over the course of an entire tournament. Until they can do that, mid-table finishes in the Six Nations may continue to be their reality.